Abstract: A setting tool for setting frac plugs and the like can include a mandrel having a chamber for housing expandable gas and a gas port in fluid communication with the chamber; a firing head secured to the mandrel for igniting a power charge to generate pressurized gas within the chamber; a barrel piston housing the mandrel and connected to a sleeve for setting the frac plug; and an expansion region defined between the mandrel and the barrel piston and receiving the pressurized gas which exerts force to cause a stroke of the barrel piston over the mandrel as the expansion region expands axially. The setting tool can include various features, such as certain gas bleed systems, an enhanced shear screw assembly, a bleed port and plug assembly, a scribe line, a particular gas port configuration, a liquid escape conduit, no-shoulder barrel configuration, and/or a low-force design for frac plugs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a footrest assembly for use with a wheelchair. The footrest assembly includes a platform, and a plurality of strap fasteners. The platform is configured to support the feet of a wheelchair occupant. The platform includes a top surface that includes a female strip with a plurality of hooks. The wheelchair includes a male strip with a plurality of loops placed under a seat of the wheelchair. The plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops are removably latch onto one another when the female strip and the male strip are pressed together. Each of the strap fasteners having a plurality of proximal ends detachably attached with a vertical frame of the wheelchair, and a plurality of distal ends detachably attached with the platform to hold the platform above a ground surface.

Abstract: A setting tool for setting frac plugs and the like can include a mandrel having a chamber for housing expandable gas and a gas port in fluid communication with the chamber; a firing head secured to the mandrel for igniting a power charge to generate pressurized gas within the chamber; a barrel piston housing the mandrel and connected to a sleeve for setting the frac plug; and an expansion region defined between the mandrel and the barrel piston and receiving the pressurized gas which exerts force to cause a stroke of the barrel piston over the mandrel as the expansion region expands axially. The setting tool can include various features, such as certain gas bleed systems, an enhanced shear screw assembly, a bleed port and plug assembly, a scribe line, a particular gas port configuration, a liquid escape conduit, no-shoulder barrel configuration, and/or a low-force design for frac plugs.

Abstract: Our method and system for fluid and gas filtering uses nano-porous iron oxide (NIO) particles, specifically Fe2O3 particles, of a specific and unique pore architecture and particle size that enables dual process filtration via concurrent adsorption (via particle exterior) and absorption (via nano-porous particle interior). This concurrent dual process filtration method is far more efficient and faster than any prior art for other flocculation or sorbent techniques that remove toxins from water, including dissolved toxins. NIO has specific utility in removing phosphates, toxic heavy metals, and when used in conjunction with UV light, water-soluble perfluorophosphonic and perfluorosulphonic acid compounds. NIO is projected to perform best as a water purification source point sorbent and finishing agent. The physical properties demonstrated by these nano-porous iron oxide particles of specific size and porosity can also be used in other fluid applications and gas purification applications.

Abstract: A setting tool for setting frac plugs and the like can include a mandrel having a chamber for housing expandable gas and a gas port in fluid communication with the chamber; a firing head secured to the mandrel for igniting a power charge to generate pressurized gas within the chamber; a barrel piston housing the mandrel and connected to a sleeve for setting the frac plug; and an expansion region defined between the mandrel and the barrel piston and receiving the pressurized gas which exerts force to cause a stroke of the barrel piston over the mandrel as the expansion region expands axially. The setting tool can include various features, such as certain gas bleed systems, an enhanced shear screw assembly, a bleed port and plug assembly, a scribe line, a particular gas port configuration, a liquid escape conduit, no-shoulder barrel configuration, and/or a low-force design for frac plugs.

Abstract: A gearbox is described that includes a magnetic gear irrotationally mounted on one shaft and a set of gears on another shaft, wherein the one gear is in sequential magnetic interaction with the set of gears to alter to rotational speed of either the one gear or the set of gears.

Abstract: An airborne drone launch and recovery apparatus for selectively launching drones located on the underside of a carrier aircraft or recovering drones following flight of the drones, the airborne launch and recovery apparatus has an extensible stinger slidable along the length of a stinger sheath between a retracted position proximal the rear portion of the carrier aircraft and an extended position in front of the carrier aircraft, and a catcher shuttle carried on the forward part of the stinger for extending into the non-turbulent air in front of the carrier aircraft when the stinger is in the extended position. The carrier shuttle includes a launch/recovery assembly for selectively either having a locked condition for the recovery guide of a drone prior to the positioning of the catcher shuttle in a selected for the launch of the drone, and having an open condition for receiving the recovery guide of a drone at the termination of the flight of the drone to terminate the flight.

Abstract: A novel combination of a biocide (Glutaraldehyde), a surfactant (BAK), in an alcohol/water solution, plus functional excipients. The Glutaraldehyde and BAK are combined in specific concentrations in an alcohol-solution form, with the other functional excipients specifically for the intended application. An embodiment for the oil and gas recovery industry is described in which the excipients Glutaraldehyde and cidal agent and BAK surfactant synergistically improve oil recovery. An embodiment for the in the healthcare industry (e.g., medical instrument sterilization) is described in the form of an immersion solution, spray, or pre-moistened cleaning wipette, with excipients including Trienthanol Amine, Glycol Ether, and Sulfonic Acid and water. In both cases the Glutaraldehyde in combination with the BAK works in synergy to kill bacteria and especially SRBs more effectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for the production of heat treated welded rail for rail transport, such as railways and tramways. The invention also relates to a rail produced with the method and/or the device.

Abstract: A magnetic gear system including magnetic gearboxes where one of a driving gear and a driven gear are in sequential magnetic linkage, and one of the magnetic gears can be tilted relative to the other gear wherein the magnetic gears are prevented from overlapping each other to prevent loss of sequential magnetic interaction. A magnetic gearbox is also disclosed where a driving gear can be tilted relative to a driven gear to change the torque, the rotational speed of the driven gear, and if tilted far enough, to change the direction of rotation of the driven gear. Another magnetic gearbox includes a pair of magnetic gears that can be manipulated to result in a reversal of direction of rotation of a driven gear from a driving gear without changing the magnetic properties of either gear.

Abstract: A novel combination of a biocide (Glutaraldehyde), a surfactant (BAK), in an alcohol/water solution, plus functional excipients. The Glutaraldehyde and BAK are combined in specific concentrations in an alcohol-solution form, with the other functional excipients specifically for the intended application. An embodiment for the oil and gas recovery industry is described in which the excipients Glutaraldehyde and cidal agent and BAK surfactant synergistically improve oil recovery. An embodiment for the in the healthcare industry (e.g., medical instrument sterilization) is described in the form of an immersion solution, spray, or pre-moistened cleaning wipette, with excipients including Trienthanol Amine, Glycol Ether, and Sulfonic Acid and water. In both cases the Glutaraldehyde in combination with the BAK works in synergy to kill bacteria and especially SRBs more effectively.

Abstract: An airborne drone launch and recovery apparatus for selectively launching drones located on the underside of a carrier aircraft or recovering drones following flight of the drones, the airborne launch and recovery apparatus has an extensible stinger slidable along the length of a stinger sheath between a retracted position proximal the rear portion of the carrier aircraft and an extended position in front of the carrier aircraft, and a catcher shuttle carried on the forward part of the stinger for extending into the non-turbulent air in front of the carrier aircraft when the stinger is in the extended position. The carrier shuttle includes a launch/recovery assembly for selectively either having a locked condition for the recovery guide of a drone prior to the positioning of the catcher shuttle in a selected for the launch of the drone, and having an open condition for receiving the recovery guide of a drone at the termination of the flight of the drone to terminate the flight.

Abstract: In one example, we describe a method and system that uses iron oxide as its sole sorbent, specifically micron-sized nano-porous iron oxide particles. The sorbent is housed inside a horizontally rotating sorbent bed. The horizontally rotating sorbent bed is housed inside of a larger secondary compartment. At the top of the secondary compartment, there is an escaped sorbent particle containment membrane. One example uses a self-cleaning horizontally rotating sorbent drum membrane design that unclogs particulates lodged in the membrane by reversing particulate air flow direction during a small portion (e.g., about 20 degrees) of each full 360 degree rotation of the drum. When air flow passes through the porous horizontally rotating sorbent drum's membrane, which occurs at the location where the rotating sorbent bed membrane comes into contact with the air feed manifold, particulates are air-dislodged from the inner facing surface of the drum's membrane. Other variations are discussed.

Abstract: An apparatus having at least one rotatable driven object having an edge on which are disposed a series of adjacent magnets of alternating polarity and a driving object rotatable by an external motor torque and having a series of adjacent magnets of alternating polarity on a magnet supporting surface. The magnet supporting surface of the driving object is rotatable through a common region approximately centered about the point of closest approach to the magnet supporting edge of the driven object for sequentially placing magnets of the driving object in the region enveloping the effective interactive range between the two objects. The fields of magnets of opposite polarity of the driving object interact with the fields of the magnets on the driving object to effect rotation of the driven object. Disclosed are structures for torque limiting wheels, magnetic gear trains, reduction gears and ball joints, and propulsion systems for watercraft and aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus having a driving magnetic gear and a driver magnetic gear, disposed on each of which are a series of adjacent magnets of alternating polarity. The magnetic gears are tiltable relative to each other, and the angle of the imaginary driver gear plane at the pivot point between the driving gear and the driver gear must be less than 90° to prevent loss of sequential magnetic interaction beyond which angle, reversal of rotation relative to the driver gear would occur when the sequential magnetic interaction is re-established.

Abstract: A combination biocide including OPA, quaternary phosphonium biocide (TTPC), alcohol (preferably isopropyl alcohol), and functional excipients for use in the oil and gas recovery industry or for vessel ballast water treatment. The functional excipients for the oil and gas recovery industry are an optional cellulose type proppant, a poloxamer wetting agent, a friction-reducing pluronic block copolymer, a drag reducing agent such as polyethylene oxide, and a flocculating agent. The proppant is unnecessary for vessel ballast water treatment. In both applications the OPA is the dialdehyde C6H4(CHO)2 form. It will produce an inherent cidal effect and lower surface tension and thus aids in the spread of the TTPC on biofilm covered surfaces where it is readily absorbed by the negative surfaces of proteins and bacteria. It thus serves as a binding cidal agent between the TTPC and the application surface.

Abstract: In one example, we describe a method and system that uses iron oxide as its sole sorbent, specifically micron-sized nano-porous iron oxide particles. The sorbent is housed inside a horizontally rotating sorbent bed. The horizontally rotating sorbent bed is housed inside of a larger secondary compartment. At the top of the secondary compartment, there is an escaped sorbent particle containment membrane. One example uses a self-cleaning horizontally rotating sorbent drum membrane design that unclogs particulates lodged in the membrane by reversing particulate air flow direction during a small portion (e.g., about 20 degrees) of each full 360 degree rotation of the drum. When air flow passes through the porous horizontally rotating sorbent drum's membrane, which occurs at the location where the rotating sorbent bed membrane comes into contact with the air feed manifold, particulates are air-dislodged from the inner facing surface of the drum's membrane. Other variations are discussed.

Abstract: A combination biocide (Glutaraldehyde or OPA), quaternary phosphonium biocide (preferably TTPC), alcohol (preferably isopropyl alcohol), and functional excipients for the oil and gas recovery industry. The functional excipients for the oil and gas recovery industry are a cellulose type proppant, a poloxamer wetting agent, a friction-reducing pluronic block copolymer, a drag reducing agent such as polyethylene oxide, and a flocculating agent. The OPA may be of the dialdehyde C6H4(CHO)2 form, and the Glutaraldehyde of formula C5H8O2. Both will produce an inherent bacteriostatic effect and lower surface tension and thus aids in the spread of the TTPC on the biofilm covered surface where it is readily absorbed by the negative surfaces of proteins and bacteria. It thus serves as a binding agent between the TTPC and the application surface. The foregoing constituents are combined in preferred concentrations within acceptable ranges to provide a synergistic biological chemical complementarity system.

Abstract: A combination biocide (Glutaraldehyde or OPA), quaternary phosphonium biocide (preferably TTPC), alcohol (preferably isopropyl alcohol), and functional excipients for the oil and gas recovery industry. The functional excipients for the oil and gas recovery industry are a cellulose type proppant, a poloxamer wetting agent, a friction-reducing pluronic block copolymer, a drag reducing agent such as polyethylene oxide, and a flocculating agent. The OPA may be of the dialdehyde C6H4(CHO)2 form, and the Glutaraldehyde of formula C5H8O2. Both will produce an inherent bacteriostatic effect and lower surface tension and thus aids in the spread of the TTPC on the biofilm covered surface where it is readily absorbed by the negative surfaces of proteins and bacteria. It thus serves as a binding agent between the TTPC and the application surface. The foregoing constituents are combined in preferred concentrations within acceptable ranges to provide a synergistic biological chemical complementarity system.

Abstract: A combination biocide (Glutaraldehyde or OPA), quaternary phosphonium biocide, alcohol, and functional excipients for surface-sterilization of medical instruments and other objects. The quaternary phosphonium biocide is preferably TTPC, and the alcohol isopropyl alcohol. The OPA is the dialdehyde C6H4(CHO)2, which produces an inherent bacteriostatic effect, lowering surface tension, and aiding in the spread of the TTPC on the instrument surface where it is readily absorbed by the negative surfaces of proteins and bacteria. It thus serves as a binding agent between the TTPC and the application surface.